Rose Gold: A Rising Star

January 25, 2013August 2, 2016

Rose Gold Collection by Dorfman, Boston

Although it has been around for more than 200 years, rose gold is experiencing a renaissance. And it looks like it’s here to stay. The blushing precious metal, sometimes called pink or red gold, is showing up in all the right places – in important watches, engagement rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more.

Open any fashion magazine this month and you’ll see rose gold offerings from top jewelry designers, curated by accessories editors and stylists, all unanimous in their advice: Think Pink!

The secret to rose gold’s color is simple – copper alloy. All gold used in jewelry must be mixed with other metals for strength and durability, because 24-karat gold (99 percent or more gold) is too soft on its own. White gold is mixed with silver, platinum or palladium…while pink gold takes its rosy hue from the addition of copper.

Bracelet by Bulgari, Trinity Band by Cartier, Serpenti Watch by Bulgari

Jewelry historians agree that rose gold first took hold with the introduction of Cartier’s Trinity band in 1924. Louis Cartier created the three-band ring – one white, one yellow and one rose gold band intertwined – and it was quickly taken up by French writer and filmmaker Jean Cocteau. It is said he stacked two Trinity rings on his pinkie finger, starting a trend that has lasted, in many variations, through modern times.

Rose gold was one of the major story lines to come out of the Paris Biennnale des Antiquaires art, antiques and jewelry exhibit in September. At the exhibit, the world’s leading jewelry houses — including Van Cleef & Arpels, Bucheron, Chanel and Bulgari — showcased intricate designs using soft pink tones in jewels and 18-karat rose gold.

Why the resurgence? The rise of rose gold may have something to do with fashion’s return to color. After the high-contrast days of the ‘90s, when black-and-white, silver and white gold ruled the runways, today’s styles embrace neutrals, feminine pinks and richer colors.

Rose gold aficionados feel that pink gold is more discreet than yellow or white gold because it “disappears” on many skin tones. Designers know that it brings added warmth to their jewelry designs…and works particularly well with colored stones.

Obsessed by Jewelry wants to know what you think of rose gold. As jewelry designers and editors have warmed to its rosy color, we think you will too when you see how flattering and fashion-forward it can be.

Feel free to mix and match yellow, white and rose gold with abandon. But for maximum impact this season, remember the maxim — Think Pink — when shopping for gold!